By Kayla Sutter
Copy Editor-in-Chief

It is that time of year again, Valentine’s Day. Candy hearts, red roses and huge teddy bears are taking over every corner of the supermarket. You either love it, or hate it.

If you have a significant other, you still may be racking your brain for the perfect Valentine’s date night plan—after all, you only have three days left! But don’t panic, because there are many valentine-themed events happening around town throughout the weekend.

One of the most popular dates for couples on Cupid’s Day is a dinner date, and Stroudsburg has tons of restaurants all along Main St. offering special dinners to dazzle your sweetheart. If you are looking for a classy dinner option, these establishments offer it.

Le Persil Bistro, located at 517 Main St., is a small restaurant that offers traditional French cuisine in a cozy atmosphere.

Their Valentine’s Day special, a prix-fixe menu (a fixed price menu with a few choices) with a complimentary glass of champagne (if you are of age, of course!).

They will be offering this menu Friday Feb. 12, Saturday Feb. 13 and Sunday Feb. 14. It is recommended to call the Bistro at (570)-476-4324 to make a reservation.

Siamsa Irish Pub will offer a three-course menu from Friday to Saturday as well. The restaurant located at 636 Main St., will charge $49.95 per couple.

The menu, which can be found on their Facebook page, includes an appetizer to share, chicken, short rib, or salmon as an entrée and a brownie sundae, Irish smash cake, or apple pie for dessert.

Of course, complimentary glasses of champagne will be offered. Reservations are necessary, and can be made by calling (570)-421-8434.

Garlíc, located at 907 Main St., has a menu for Sunday only. The restaurant has recently hung local artwork up on its walls, creating a beautiful atmosphere for you and your sweetie.

The menu has not been presented yet, however they are taking reservations by the hour for Valentine’s Day. Reservations are required; call (570)-476-6555 to make them!

If dinner is not your style, and you seek entertainment for you and your babe, or maybe just a fun night out with the gals…or guys, The Sherman Theater has a Burlesque Event for you!

According to their website, you and your guest will “enjoy this mixture of Burlesque comedy-song and dance through Vaudeville entertainment in a beautiful 1920’s style theater setting. You are sure to be wowed with this fusion of burlesque and cabaret arts, with the skill and challenge of the aerial arts.”

The event starts at 8:00 p.m., with doors opening to the public at 7:30 p.m. tickets will be $25.50 at the door.

Winterfest, although not Valentine’s themed, is a perfect event to take your love interest.

Starting Friday at 9 a.m. through Saturday evening, downtown Stroudsburg “will be transformed into a winter wonderland,” according to VisitDowntownStroudsburg.com.

There will be winter themed food and drinks at participating restaurants, over 40 ice sculptures with some live carvings, and other entertaining winter themed activities.

Each business will have a custom carved ice sculpture outside of their business. These carvings will occur from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will remain for the weekend.

On Saturday, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. all participating businesses will have cookies to offer for free.

Visit their website at VisitDowntownStroudsburg.com for a complete list of events and participating businesses.

Although dinners and dates are nice, some enjoy a thoughtful gift or treat. These businesses are offering specials for Valentine’s Day:

If you are looking for that perfect treat for that special someone (or yourself, no shame), Kitchen Chemistry, located on 733 Main Street, is taking orders for their Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake for Two!

Their Feedback page describes this treat as a “made from scratch chocolate cake with strawberry filling, iced in a strawberry buttercream with freshly made chocolate ganache poured over the whole thing! Topped, of course, with a chocolate covered strawberry!” These cakes are only $10, and can be ordered by calling (570)-730-4944.

Kitchen Chemistry also offers a variety of gourmet cupcakes on the daily, and this list can be found on their website ww.kitchen-chemistry.com.

Their cupcake of the month is Raspberry Chambord, and their cupcake of the week is Strawberry Bliss. If your sweetie has a sweet tooth, be sure to pick them up a cupcake, or two!

The Floral Boutique, located behind the Sherman Theater at 13 N 5th St., has a huge selection of flower bouquets for your misses, or mister!

From roses, to lilies, balloons, to chocolates—this Boutique has it all. Customers can walk into the shop to place an order, call the shop at (570)-424-6662 or order a bouquet online from www.floralboutiqueonline.com!

Pure Day Spa, located on 770 Main St., is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Valentine’s Day.

The spa is offering couples massages, as well as other services such as pedicures, manicures, mud wraps, sea salt scrubs, facials and more! They have gift cards available for purchase, too!

The Pocono Cinema & Cultural Center, located on 88 S. Courtland St. in East Stroudsburg, is showing The Notebook on Sunday at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are only $6.75.

If you don’t feel like venturing off campus this Valentine’s Day, there are a few activities you should not miss!

The Commuter Council is sponsoring “Matchomatic.” All you need to do is fill out a survey to find that special someone!

To participate, visit the link, http://bit.ly/mm15651u, enter your information and answer the questions honestly. The survey takes about five minutes.

Results can be picked up at the Commuter Lounge on Friday, Feb. 12 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. for two dollars! After 2 p.m. the results can be obtained at the SAA office.

All proceeds go to the Street2Feet Fundraiser to support the homeless population of Monroe County!

On Saturday, Feb. 13 there will be a Valentine’s Day Fondue Fest at the University Ridge at 10 p.m.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t always have to be about the couples—feel free to invite your best friend out on a date with you.

Most importantly this V-Day, make sure you spoil yourself in some way—maybe a box of chocolates, a mani/pedi, or two—because you deserve it.

Email Kayla at:
ksutter2@live.esu.edu